GaleG

I respect this sacred practice of your church so I tread carefully and politely. I hope I have not offended anyone. Thank you, Gale

Would it be ok if Aaron and his sons changed the designs or symbols in the garments God prescribed for them in Exodus 28? I did a search online in the Book of Mormon and Pearl of Great Price but didn't see any mention of sacred inner garments worn by male and female believers for spiritual protection. Is there some reference as to when the church introduced this? Thank you, Gale

I agree with your view on the fabrics and sizes, but I would not accept an American flag if it was in the form of a circle or triangle, or if it had white-headed bald eagles instead of stars, or if the colors were a different 3-color combination. In the context of priesthood clothing, the Israelites in the Old Testament were clearly instructed on their robe fabric and designs. So far, I haven't seen any parallel in the Book of Mormon yet. But then again, I have more to read. Thank you, Gale

I had a question about this part of the article. But the change will be felt most keenly in the United States and Canada, where a one-year waiting period for a temple sealing after a civil marriage was the policy for about 100 years, according to a previous blog post by historian Ardis Parshall. Parshall wrote that among the reasons the one-year wait was instituted was a concern among leaders like church President Joseph F. Smith and the man who succeeded him in 1918, President Heber J. Grant, that elaborate public wedding celebrations among Latter-day Saints in Utah were turning the sacred temple sealing into an afterthought. Did they have elaborate public wedding celebrations back in the time in Utah when this policy was created and was this was serious enough to extend the policy to all of Canada and the U.S.? Thank you, Gale

Amen to that. This reminds me of Isaiah 64:6 - But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Thank you, Gale

oh no 🙂 but I like the Japanese culture. Gale

Thank you Mores. Have to shout out "Norm!" like in the former Cheers series 🙂 Gale

Thank you Jane. That's the nicest thing anyone has ever commented about me on this forum. Gale

I saw this from the church's web site: https://www.lds.org/manual/gospel-topics/garments?lang=eng "The garment should be treated with respect at all times. It should not be exposed to the view of those who do not understand its significance, and it should not be adjusted to accommodate different styles of clothing. When worn properly, the garment provides protection against temptation and evil". God rejected and replaced the fig leaf aprons with coats of skin (Genesis 2:25; 3:7,21). This was considered 'exterior clothing'. That is, they did not wear a concealed special garment under their exterior clothing. After their disobedience, I believe they fell further and followed their own way to hide their shame/nakedness instead of waiting on Him for further instruction. Which garment (I refer to it as 'inner clothing') do you believe God advised Adam, Eve, and all their progeny to wear to protect against temptation and evil? I understand if you cannot share some details if is against church or forum policy. Thank you, Gale

Never thought of that (Jews representing the eldest son). I would say no because the parable does not portray a redemption for them (if representative of the eldest son). Jesus gave another parable of two sons in Matthew 21:28. One son represented the chief priests and the elders; those who rejected Christ. The other son (the publicans and the harlots) are those who repented and entered the Kingdom of God. Thank you, Gale

No. I am not saying that. See my reply to mikbone for a clarification to my question. Thank you, Gale

From the little I know of your church, Jesus apparently gave a revelation that wine was no longer to be used. Water would replace it. As for chex mix or bananas, we'll see if a future 'revelation' comes or if the leadership decides to go that route without direction from Him. But as for the garments, it seems God is not giving the revelation as to what to wear or how long or how short things should be, but men taking a consensus to decide what they like instead of previous generations of people have asked for and have worn. If you could provide references where God is directing the LDS Church to change the size or design of the garments instead of the members deciding we want this or that, then that would help me understand more. Thank you, Gale

i found a good examination at https://www.gotquestions.org/parable-prodigal-son.html The aspect of the eldest son acting like a Pharisee was something new to me. Thank you, Gale

A question about this mention: "“We are thrilled to be able to offer new garment styles specific to what men have been asking for" Are the garments based on man's asking for changes or God designing what's best? Thank you, Gale

I would view it as a prophecy of the consequences (punishment) that would befall the people if they chose a king to rule over them instead of God ruling over them. I could not find a similar warning in the Book of Mormon. Maybe the Nephites having a king was viewed as positive? Thank you, Gale

Hello, Would you help me understand these verses. 1 Nephi 17:26 says "Now ye know that Moses was commanded of the Lord to do that great work; and ye know that by his (b)word the waters of the Red Sea were divided hither and thither, and they passed through on dry ground". 'Word' is cross referenced to Helaman 8:11 - "Therefore he was constrained to speak more unto them saying: Behold, my brethren, have ye not read that God gave power unto one man, even Moses, to smite upon the waters of the Red Sea, and they parted hither and thither, insomuch that the Israelites, who were our fathers, came through upon dry ground, and the waters closed upon the armies of the Egyptians and swallowed them up?" Did the waters of the Red Sea part on the words of Moses or did he also smite the waters with his staff in conjunction? Thank you, Gale

I suppose indicating that something will happen in the future based on God-given knowledge. But if I told my child, if I had one, that you will get burned if you put your hand on a hot stove, I wouldn't consider that a prophecy if and when it did occur. i.e. I would not be a prophetess. Hope that helps. Gale

According to Alma chapter 42, were Adam and Eve punished with death and expulsion from God's presence? What is the significance/implication of that commandment's condition? And do you believe this condition was applicable to Eve too? (if yes, reference please). Thank you, Gale

I understand that it was special for another reason. Elder David A. Bednar said in the April 2014 General Conference address ("Bear Up Their Burdens With Ease") that revelation teaches April 6 is the actual and accurate date of Christ's birth. Thank you, Gale

Hello, I don't view it as a prophecy but rather as punishment. My reading of Alma 42 shows this with a specific reference to Adam and Eve. Isn't the phrase nevertheless you may choose for thyself applicable to all the commandments since we may choose for ourselves to either obey or disobey? Thank you, Gale

Maybe instead of the word 'rebuked', I would use the word 'punished'. One thing I noticed is that both Adam and Eve play the blame game. Adam blames Eve. She in turn places blame on the serpent. Both fail to take responsibility for their own disobedience. Their first sin leads to other failures (hiding and trying to cover their nakedness their own way with the fig leaf aprons). I feel it's the same thing today - people still wearing their own fig leaf aprons (good works, thinking they are not bad enough to deserve separation from God, idols, etc) instead of approaching Him by his prescribed way. Thank you, Gale

What kind of flexibility is there in the Word of Wisdom? Thank you, Gale

This is not entirely correct - on the flip side, some people will experience the "un-forever family" because some family members did not endure to the end. Gale

Thank you Vort, Happy Easter. Is there a reference that the 15 LDS apostles will be judging people groups? Gale

Hello, Would you help me understand these verses. The 12 Apostles are mentioned in several places. 1 Nephi 11:34-36; 12:9; 13:24,26,39-41; and 14:20,24-25,27 Who are the 12 apostles of the Lamb which Jesus chose in Israel? Another reference to the 12 is in Mormon 3:19. "And I write also unto the remnant of this people, who shall also be judged by the twelve whom Jesus chose in this land; and they shall be judged by the other twelve whom Jesus chose in the land of Jerusalem". Does this mean the current 15 LDS apostles won't be judging anyone? Thank you, Gale